Not So FAST™........

There is a new procedure that has emerged for the treatment of tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, and achilles tendonitis. The FAST ™ technique offers a minimally invasive treatment for these and other conditions.  At this point, there is very little in the way of peer reviewed literature supporting its use.  I am intrigued by the technique and will likely pursue the training necessary to provide this procedure to my patients.

Right now, there are interventional radiologists in the area who are aggressively marketing this technique, and do so without requiring a referral from the patient's primary care physician or orthopaedic surgeon.  I have several concerns about this trend, and caution patients the following:

1.  A radiologist is not trained to diagnose or treat conditions of the musculoskeletal system.  Every case of heel pain is not plantar fasciitis.

2.  Although the procedure seems to be safe, if there is a complication, a radiologist is not trained to diagnose or manage it.

3.  The technique is being done for conditions that 9 times out of 10, either get better on their own with no treatment, or respond to cheap and conservative treatment such as rest, ice, stretching, bracing, immobilization, NSAIDs, etc.

With that being said, I do see patients for whom this technique is probably a reasonable alternative to a much bigger and potentially riskier procedure.  In those cases, I have recommended that patients consider it.

Rest assured, we at Nebraska Orthopaedics are familiar with this technique and interested in its application.  When we are convinced that it is a safe and effective treatment option, we plan to offer it to our patients in the context of a holistic orthopaedic treatment protocol.

The Best Diet Advice, Ever

"Eat food, not too much, mostly plants."

These words, written by Michael Pollan, probably summarize the best nutritional advice there is.  For those of you who do not know who he is, Pollan is an author who has written several ground breaking books on food and health.  His 2007 book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma" changed the way that I look at and think about our food supply.  Pollan examines why we eat the way we do, and how the food industry has frankly, made us fat and very unhealthy.  His 2009 follow up, "In Defense of Food," builds on his previous work and gives the reader simple rules to follow in order to eat the most healthfully.

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20090323/7-rules-for-eating 

http://michaelpollan.com/

Summer "Reading"

I don't get much time to read for pleasure.  My long runs, however, do allow me the opportunity to listen to audiobooks.

I recently finished "Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself" by Rich Roll.  Roll was a former collegiate swimmer and recovering alcoholic who, nearing his 40th birthday, found himself unable to climb a flight of stairs without getting short of breath.  He worried that he wouldn't be around to see his 2 year old daughter get married.  What followed was a remarkable transformation that saw Roll become one of the greatest ultra-athletes in the world.  Among his many accomplishments was completing an iron distance triathlon on 5 different Hawaiian islands in just under 7 days.

Roll gets deeply personal about the struggles he has had over the years and how he has overcome them.  He shares training and nutrition advice.  He credits most of his success to his adoption of a plant-based diet.  Although I don't think I'm ready to make that leap just yet, Roll delivers a compelling argument for doing so.

Thunder Run

Although online registration is closed, you can still sign up for the 2013 Lincoln Track Club Thunder Run.  The flat and fast out and back 5K is held at the Lincoln Airport.  I've run this race a couple of times.  It is usually really hot on the concrete and the long taxiways and wide open spaces make the distance seem longer than 5K.  It is a unique course, though, and with military aircraft there for viewing and picture taking, one that kids seem to have fun at.

http://www.lincolnrun.org/races/thunder

What's Left?

I get asked a lot about which marathons I have left.  Here they are, with a tentative schedule.  If it works out, I should finish on the Strip in Las Vegas next year!

Baltimore, MD and Atlantic City, NJ: Double this fall
Washington, DC (Marine Corp): This fall
Delaware: Spring 2014
Washington and Oregon: Double spring/summer 2014
Alaska: Summer 2014
Maine: Fall 2014
New Mexico: Fall 2014
Las Vegas: Fall/Winter 2014

10 marathons in a little more than 12 months.  It is my most ambitious schedule yet.

Lincoln Man Runs Across Iowa

Pete Kostelnick is believed to be the first person to run RAGBRAI, the annual bike ride across Iowa.  He completed the 423 mile journey in 7 days.  WOW!

http://journalstar.com/news/local/cindy-lange-kubick-the-running-of-ragbrai-miles-in-seven/article_d33153f5-9a5b-5b74-8786-2b075ff00955.html

The Perfect Recovery Drink

You may not know it, but chocolate milk is the perfect recovery drink after a muscle intensive workout.  It contains the ideal 3:1 ratio of carbs to protein.  It contains whey protein, which is quickly absorbed and digested to provide essential amino acids to damaged muscle, and casein protein, which is more slowly absorbed and digested, and counteracts post-workout muscle breakdown.  Chocolate milk is cheaper than most recovery drinks and, in my opinion and my 2 and 3 year old boys' opinion, tastes great!